LA Protests: Newsom Blocked, Trump Defends National Guard
A federal judge denied California’s attempt to halt President Trump’s National Guard troop deployment to los Angeles amidst escalating protests following ICE raids. Governor Newsom condemned the action, calling it “unlawful militarization,” while Trump defended the move, citing the need to maintain order. The judge’s decision allows the deployment to continue, setting the stage for a legal showdown over the role of federal forces during civil unrest, highlighting the primary_keyword of “LA Protests.” Mayor Bass imposed a curfew after the looting of dozens of businesses, further complicating the situation.News Directory 3 brings you up to speed on this breaking news.With tensions high and a secondary_keyword of “National Guard,” all eyes now turn to Thursday’s hearing. Discover what’s next as the legal battle unfolds.
Judge Rejects California’s Bid to Block Trump’s National Guard Deployment
A federal judge on Tuesday turned down California’s emergency request to halt President Donald Trump’s deployment of national Guard troops and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles. The move follows large protests sparked by immigration raids.
U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer granted the Trump administration more time to respond and scheduled a hearing for Thursday. The state, led by Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, sought a temporary restraining order against what they called the “unlawful militarization” of Los Angeles.
The legal challenge is part of a broader lawsuit accusing the federal government of commandeering state forces for immigration enforcement. Named in the suit are Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and the Department of Defense.
Newsom argued that deploying troops would worsen the situation and endanger public safety. “the federal government is now turning the military against American citizens,” Newsom said in a statement reported by KTLA. “Sending trained warfighters onto the streets is unprecedented and threatens the very core of our democracy. Donald Trump is behaving like a tyrant, not a president.”
Tensions in Los Angeles have risen since Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began workplace raids Friday. Demonstrations erupted over the weekend, with protesters blocking freeways and setting vehicles ablaze.
Trump federalized 2,000 California National Guard troops and sent 700 Marines to the area Monday, citing the need to maintain order. ICE confirmed the Guard is assisting with officer protection and transportation. Photos released Tuesday showed National Guard troops accompanying immigration officers during arrests.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass imposed an overnight curfew in a one-square-mile downtown area after the looting of 23 businesses. “We reached a tipping point,” Bass said at a press conference. The curfew is in effect from 8 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. wednesday.
Trump, speaking at Fort Bragg, said Los Angeles would have been “completely obliterated” without the Guard deployment.
California’s Democratic lawmakers in Congress have criticized the move as a “manufactured crisis.” The Pentagon estimates the deployment cost at $134 million. Protests continue nationwide in solidarity, including in San Francisco, Chicago, and New York.
What’s next
The court will hold a hearing Thursday to further consider California’s request for an injunction against the federal government’s deployment of troops in Los Angeles. The outcome could considerably impact the role of federal forces in handling immigration-related unrest.